School Library Journal Review
Gr 9 Up-This addition to the series starts off with the Zeroes working on a new project: a nightclub to experiment with their powers. It's reasonably safe, if not exactly legal. Unfortunately, their plans are disrupted by the arrival of two new teens with supernatural abilities-and unlike the original crew, these guys are not dedicated to using their powers for good. What's more, one of them, nicknamed Swarm, may be more powerful than all of the original Zeroes. If they don't work together and learn to control their powers, the results could be deadly. Like the first volume, this novel can feel weighed down by a large cast and multiple points of view, but the Zeroes continue to be relatable as they struggle to do the right thing even when they are in over their heads, and the fast-paced action keeps the pages turning. VERDICT Fans of the first book will not be disappointed by the latest installment in the saga.-Eliza Langhans, Hatfield Public Library, MA © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
After the disastrous events of Zeroes (rev. 11/15), the diverse team of supernaturally gifted teens has set up the aptly named Petri Dish, a nightclub/social experiment where they can test and eventually master their powers in relative safety. Its the perfect place, since many of the Zeroes abilities -- such as leader Nates influence on the emotions of a crowd -- depend upon connecting energetically to a large group of people. Perfect, that is, until two superpowered strangers wreak havoc at the Dish with their own crowd-manipulating abilities. Wanting to prevent any more chaos, the Zeroes track down the strangers, only to learn of a much bigger threat. Now that readers know the main players, their powers, and their abilities pitfalls, this second volume accelerates the pace and ups the stakes of the first book. Lots of action sequences, including a handful of truly scary scenes that would be right at home in a zombie flick, add to the suspense. (Spoiler: you really dont want to encounter a swarm.) But its not nonstop near-escapes and explosions. The authors develop the teens platonic and romantic interpersonal dynamics (including one blossoming same-sex relationship), and its these connections that both endanger the Zeroes and, ultimately, save them. A cliffhanger ending will leave fans eagerly awaiting the Zeroes next adventure. katie bircher (c) Copyright 2016. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
The Zeroes, a group of six superpowered teen friends, discover that they aren't the only ones with talent when a new guy, who can meld a crowd into a deadly killing machine, comes to town with murder on his mind. One of the Zeroes, Kelsie, aka Mob, is afraid it's only a matter of time before she becomes just like this malevolent stranger, but the more immediate issue is how to stop him. In their sequel to Zeroes (2015), Westerfeld, Deborah Biancotti, and Margo Lanagan offer readers a story marked by nonstop action, a little romance, and a few dismemberment scenes. Reading the first book isn't essential, but helps in instances like knowing that Bellwether is also Glorious Leader, since the latter becomes his moniker in the second book. This is standard but solidly written teen-superhero fare, although the final chapters stand apart for their moving treatment of the forgotten Zero, Anon, and for the cliff-hanger ending that will make trilogy fans itch for the third book.--Welch, Cindy Copyright 2016 Booklist